Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation at Lake Region Healthcare is a nationally certified program designed to meet the physical, emotional and educational needs of people recovering from a cardiac condition. The ultimate goal of cardiac rehab is to return the participant to an active, healthier life through exercise and lifestyle changes.

Cardiac rehab will benefit anyone with an existing or potential heart problem. Your physician can determine if our program is for you. But generally our program benefits people who have had:

Chest pain.

A heart attack.

Heart surgery.

Documented coronary artery disease.

A cardiac intervention procedure, such as angioplasty, stent placement, etc.

Valve surgery.

How cardiac rehabilitation works

You'll exercise for about one hour, participating up to three times a week and for up to 36 sessions. The program is individualized and tailored to your needs and desires. Each session of your therapy includes flexibility, endurance and relaxation exercises. Trained professionals will monitor your EKGs continually during your sessions. They will record your blood pressure at each visit before, during and after exercise. They will monitor your heart and lung sounds.

Your exercise progression will be based on these findings and your physical tolerance. Progress reports will be sent to your physician, as will a final discharge summary when you complete the cardiac rehab program.

Everyone with heart disease—regardless of age, gender or race—can benefit from cardiac rehab. No one is too old or too young.

External counterpulsation therapy

External counterpulsation (ECP) therapy is a clinically proven, noninvasive treatment option available to patients with angina or congestive heart failure. It is primarily used in patients who have been unresponsive to other therapies, in order to relieve discomfort and improve quality of life.

ECP therapy works to improve circulation to the heart muscle, increasing oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart and reducing the heart's workload.

ECP therapy can help to build new pathways around blocked arteries in the heart by expanding networks of tiny collateral blood vessels that facilitate blood flow.